New Year’s Eve to suit all budgets

By
Kevin Sadlier

NEW Year’s Eve will be celebrated in Sutherland Shire and St George like most other regions around the world ... with cheers and fireworks.

New Year’s Eve to suit all budgets

Bring in the new year with a bang: Fireworks explode over Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House as more than a million people on the foreshores welcomed 2012. This picture was taken from Mrs Macquarie’s Chair, Sydney Royal Botanical Gardens. Picture: Janie Barrett

NEW Year’s Eve will be celebrated in Sutherland Shire and St George like most other regions around the world ... with cheers and fireworks.

In St George, Rockdale Council has organised a family fireworks display on Lady Robinsons Beach, Brighton-Le-Sands.

No, not at midnight like the major Sydney Harbour fireworks which follow the children’s version at 9pm.

The council’s Botany Bay fireworks will start at 9pm with vantage points at Kyeemagh, Monterey and Ramsgate.

Diners at Omeros on the Beach, at Ramsgate, will have an excellent vantage point. The address is Cook Park, Grand Parade, Ramsgate Beach; bookings: 95295391.

Drivers should be aware that changed traffic conditions will apply, with major road closures at Brighton-Le-Sands — Grand Parade from Bestic Street to President Avenue; Bay Street from Grand Parade to Moate Avenue, and surrounding streets.

Although the council encourages the use of public transport, bus routes 478 and 479 will be affected.

‘‘No alcohol or glass will be permitted at the fireworks display,’’

a council spokesman said.

Most licensed clubs in St George and the shire will be screening the Sydney fireworks live on their huge TVs.

At Caringbah, the King Wan Chinese Restaurant, at Tradies, will have the real thing for diners.

The restaurant’s north-facing picture windows will have a clear view of the harbour fireworks.

The cost of a Chinese banquet at the King Wan is $48 for adults and $30 for children.

At the other end of the culinary scale, celebrity chef Matt Moran has planned a glamorous — and expensive — New Year’s Eve dinner at his Aria Restaurant, Circular Quay, and overlooking Sydney Harbour Bridge.

The event will include entertainment from the Big Hit Orchestra, hula hoop podium dancers, DJ Stephen Ferris and a ‘‘festival inspired’’ menu planned by Moran.

The cost? Dinner plus beer, wine (still and sparkling), cocktails and that exclusive view of the new year’s fireworks is $495.